Being admitted to Phillips Academy Andover is the dream of most students applying to US high schools. It's the number one ranked private boarding high school in the US, a top-tier institution that has produced two US presidents, Nobel laureates, and scientific giants. Often considered a seed school for Ivy League universities like Harvard and Yale, the competition is extremely fierce. In the previous article, Hillhouse teachers analyzed how to showcase your unique charm and potential within a short interview time to leave a lasting impression on admissions officers.
We at Hillhouse have students in Andover who chose the most challenging arts and sciences courses and graduated first in their class, gaining admission to Ivy League universities . Therefore, we have a good understanding of Andover. In this article, Hillhouse teachers will guide you further through the application process for Andover high schools.
1. Complete the Candidate Profile
Fill in candidate information
Complete the Candidate Profile (Part One of the application) on the Gateway to Prep Schools website and submit it to Phillips Academy. You will then receive an email 24 hours after your submission with your application portal login credentials.
First, complete the candidate information (the first part of the application) on the Gateway to Prep Schools website and submit it to Phillips College. Within 24 hours of submission, you will receive an email containing your application portal login credentials.
2. Interview
Using your application portal login credentials , you will be able, but not required, to supplement your application with one of the following options:
· On-Campus Interview (no longer available)
All on-campus interviews include a campus tour
· Virtual Interview (no longer available)
· Personal Video Submission (open availability)
Applicants are encouraged to do an on-campus or live virtual tour if able.
Using your application portal credentials, you can choose to supplement your application in the following ways:
• In-person campus interviews
Online interviews
• Personal video submission (currently accepting submissions)
Applicants are encouraged to participate in campus tours or online guided tours whenever possible.
3. Required Testing
*NEW* For fall 2025 applicants and beyond, we are returning to required standardized testing. Students may submit one of the following: SSAT (Upper Level), ISEE (Upper Level), PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT ALL GRADE LEVELS:
Students who attend a school outside the United States that is not an English-medium school are asked to take the TOEFL iBT, the IELTS, or the Duolingo English Test. As a guideline, most international students who are admitted to Andover score at or above: 100 on the TOEFL iBT, 7.5 on the IELTS, or 135 on the Duolingo English Test.
School Testing Codes: When you register for a standardized test, please use the following codes in order to have the test results sent directly to Phillips Academy.
SSAT: 5758
ISEE: 220030
SAT: 0156
TOEFL: 8127
If you are applying for financial aid and would like to request a standardized testing fee waiver, please visit your applicant portal for information on how to make this request.
Starting in Fall 2025, standardized test scores will be required for applications. Acceptable tests include:
SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT or ACT
International students of all grades
If your school is located outside the United States and is not an English-medium school, you will need to provide scores from one of the following English proficiency tests:
• TOEFL iBT: 100 or above
• IELTS: 7.5 or above
• Duolingo English Test: 135 points or above
School Code: When you register for standardized tests, please use the following code to have your test scores sent directly to Phillips College.
SSAT: 5758
• ISEE: 220030
SAT: 0156
TOEFL: 8127
If you are applying for financial aid and need a reduction in standardized test fees, please log in to the application portal to learn how to apply.
4. Complete Your Application
Complete the application materials
Submit the remaining application documents via Gateway to Prep Schools :
Submit the following materials via Gateway to Prep Schools :
• Writing samples with scoring
• Short Q&A and essay
Parent/Guardian Statement
• Current academic year's transcript
• Transcripts from previous academic years
• Recommendation letter from the principal/counselor
• Recommendation letter from current English teacher
• Recommendation letter from current math teacher
Personal recommendation letter
• Optional: Letter of recommendation based on special interests
• Optional: Art or sports supplementary materials
5. If the Applicable requires financial support
Financial Aid : If applying for financial aid, complete the financial aid application by February 1 .
If you are applying for financial aid, please make sure to complete your application before February 1st.
6. Optional Character Skilled Snapshot
Personality and skills test (optional)
If you choose to take the SSAT, you will have the option to also take the Character Skills Snapshot if you would like to do so. The CSS is an engaging self-inventory exercise that applicants often enjoy completing. Please note: Even if applicants choose to take the CSS, our admission committee will not view the results until after our March 10 decision release date. CSS results may be used for student onboarding purposes but will not be used for admission.
If you choose to take the SSAT, you can opt to complete the Character Skills Snapshot (CSS) test.
CSS is a fun self-assessment test that many applicants enjoy taking.
Note: Although you can participate in the CSS, the admissions committee will not review your CSS results before the results are released on March 10. CSS results may be used for personalized adaptation after a student's enrollment, but will not be used for admissions decisions .
Image and text information source: https://www.andover.edu/admission/apply
For an analysis of the Andover interview, please see the link below:
Analysis of Interview Questions for Andover High School, a Top Private School in the United States
